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Post Colonialism and Irish Literature Many countries at some point in their histories were once colonies of other countries. Examples of colonialism can be found as early as the Aztec, Mongol, and Roman cultures who all controlled large areas of land at some point in history (Loomba 2). One of the most notable examples of colonialism in recent history would be the British Empire and its far reaching grasp. It was said at one point in history that the sun never set on the British Empire, implying that the British had colonies all over the world. On such example of British occupation can be found in 18th century Ireland. Having British cultures and policies forced upon them caused the people of Ireland to try and withstand the forces of British change. This process of resisting change forced upon countries facing colonial occupation is called post colonialism. Post colonialism is the resisting of military, economic, and cultural oppression experience during the domination of one country by another country. Post Colonialism aims to construct separate identities and promote nationalism through use of language and history (Khon). Post colonialism can be found throughout much of early Irish literature and has had a profound impact on creating a distinct Irish culture. We can find examples of post colonialism in such works as Castle Rackrent, The Wild Irish Girl, and The Wearin o the Green. Maria Edgeworths Castle Rackrent is an example of a piece of post colonial literature from Ireland. The story told by Thady Quirk reveals some of the ways the agrarian Irish peasants were abused by their landlords. Castle Rackrent can be interpreted as a plea for reform against the social injustices caused by British rule over Ireland. In the beginning of the book the O Shaughlin family denounces their Irish family name for the name of Rackrent in order to gain their inheritance. In the 18th century it was common for the Irish people to have to denounce their Irish culture to gain certain advantages in life because of the British laws imposed upon them

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(Corbett 41-46). In the story Sir Patrick the lord of castle Rackrent who is loved by his subjects dies and is replaced by his less popular son Murtagh. At Sir Patricks funeral his body is stolen and Murtagh refuses to pay the ransom. This is only the start of what is to come, Murtagh will go on to exploit his tenants demanding food tributes and creating lawsuits against tenants for any possible reason he could think of. He even goes as far as to send the tenants away without any whisky when they come to pay their rent, a disrespectful gesture in Irish culture (Regan 90). Overall the story of Castle Rackrent signifies the oppression Irish tenants faced and excess wealth British supporters had during a period of colonialism. Post Colonialism can as be found in another piece of Irish literature, Sydney Owensons The Wild Irish Girl. In The Wild Irish Girl, Owenson tries to create a sense of Irish beauty promoting nationalism (Corbett 56). The story also tries to promote the equalization of the Irish and English peoples by denouncing the stereotypes of the Irish people created by the British. In the beginning of The Wild Irish Girl, the narrator is traveling to Castle Inismore and arrives at what to him seems like a backwards little town. The narrator wants to gallop away from the town when he first arrives startled by what he sees making him uncomfortable. Later on in The Wild Irish Girl the narrator falls in love with the beautiful princess of Inismore and it changes his whole view of the Irish culture. Since the narrator is not from Ireland and having never been to the plot of land he owns. It shows us how distant the relationship between the Irish and the British was during that period of time. Also if we interpret the narrators infatuation with the princess as the Irishs ability to continually disrupt Englands colonization of Ireland (Corbett 56). Then it can be seen that the beauty of princess and the music from her harp along with the magic that is about Inismore might signify the beauty of Ireland and its culture. Sydney Owensons story is a post colonial piece literature that promotes the nationalism of Ireland

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expressing the beauty of the nation and showing an example of open rebellion against English rule. A third example of post colonialism in Irish literature is the balled The Wearin o the Green. This Irish song is about the opposing of an English law that doesnt allow for the wearing of the color green. The song promotes Irish nationalism saying that they will continue their customs of wearing green until the day the English can stop the grass from growing. It also shows us more of the oppressions the Irish faced. There is a line from the song stating that they are hanging people for wearing green in Ireland (Regan 176). The song serves the purpose to unite the people of Ireland through music and the common background of English oppression. It is a ballad meant to rally the spirits of the Irish people against Englands Colonialism. These works of Irish literature are all unique examples of how the Irish people have tried to keep their cultural independence from England. The post colonial works of Castle Rackrent, The Wild Irish Girl, and The Wearin o the Green are only a few examples of Post colonialism in Irish literature. There are many other poems and stories that serve to defend against English colonialism. All of these works have had an impact on creating a distinct Irish culture that is separate from that of it English rulers.

Works Cited

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Corbett, Mary Jean. Allegories of Union in Irish & English Writing, 1790-1870 : Politics, History & the Family from Edgeworth to Arnold. Port Chester: Cambridge University Press, 2000. Ebook. Kohn, Margaret, "Colonialism." The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. n.p. 2011. Web. 27 February 2012. Loomba, Ania. Colonialism Postcolonialism. London: Routledge, 1998. Ebook. Regan, Stephen. Irish Writing: An Anthology of Irish Literature in English 1789-1939. New York: Oxford, 2004. Print.

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